Spring Lake’s Board of Aldermen on Monday will hear a presentation from the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity about how to create more affordable housing in Spring Lake, as well as a presentation from When People Work (WPW) about assisting veterans and those with criminal records in getting re-acclimated into society.
The board meets at 6 p.m. in the Grady Howard Conference Room of the Spring Lake municipal complex.
When People Work
Sherrod Knox, CEO and government relations liaison, will speak about WPW’s work providing job training, housing, legal services, medical and mental health services, substance abuse counseling, financial literacy, education and transportations. According to Knox, North Carolina’s two-year recidivism rate is 49%, a number expected to increase post-Covid. WPW has launched programs in Wilson, Edgecombe, Pitt and Wake counties and hopes to extend to Cumberland County in part to help combat recidivism.
WPW’s VetsBridge program addresses the needs of returning servicemen and servicewomen and focuses on combat-related experiences that could lead to obstacles re-entering society. Those issues include homelessness, unemployment, mental issues and addiction.
Alderwoman Sona Cooper said that both programs are important for Spring Lake.
“We have so many people struggling with mental health issues right now,” Cooper said.
Habitat for Humanity
The board will also hear from Brandon Price, CEO for the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity. He is planning a presentation called “Spring Lake Springing Forward” that will outline a process for the town to donate land for a new Habitat neighborhood and provide fundraising and home construction.
Mayor Kia Anthony told CityView that land hasn’t been donated for affordable housing yet, but the town has identified a potential location for housing behind town hall.
Other agenda items include adopting resolutions for the 2024 holiday schedule and a donation from T-Mobile South. The holiday schedule includes 12 holidays including the newly adopted Juneteenth observance.
Interim Town Manager Jason Williams, who also serves as the town’s fire chief, will be presenting a donation from T-Mobile South for a communications shelter. The shelter will protect ground-based telecommunications equipment on Poe Avenue, directly underneath the town’s water tower.
